From dramatic coastlines and historic landmarks to hands-on food, craft and cultural experiences, there are countless ways to make a journey feel more personal and memorable. This month, we’re highlighting a new four-day Cornwall Escape alongside a selection of distinctive experiences across the UK and France – all designed to help you add something a little different to your clients’ itineraries.
CORNWALL ESCAPE:
4 Days of Coastal Beauty, History & Cornish Flavours
Introduce your clients to Cornwall with our brand-new, private four-day itinerary, combining some of the region’s best-known sights with local food, culture and hands-on experiences.
The programme includes Bodmin Jail, Tintagel Castle and Port Isaac, followed by St Ives, a sea safari along the North Cornish Coast, the Minack Theatre and St Michael’s Mount. Clients will also experience a Pasties & Cream cooking class, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, the Eden Project and Charlestown, before finishing with a traditional cider-making demonstration and tasting at Fowey Valley Cider Farm and a visit to Lanhydrock House.
With private airport transfers, four days of driver-guide touring, 4-star accommodation, breakfast daily and key attractions and experiences included, the itinerary offers a ready-made Cornwall programme that can be used as a strong starting point for client planning and tailored where required.
NEW IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES
The ever-growing ASA portfolio includes a broad range of hands-on experiences across the UK and France – from haggis and chocolate in Scotland and pottery and royal-inspired cooking in England, to perfume-making, macarons, French cuisine, pastry and wine in France. These are the kinds of experiences that bring a destination to life – giving your clients the chance to get involved, discover local flavours and traditions, and enjoy something memorable along the way.
scotland:
THE HAGGIS EXPERIENCE – THE HAGGIS LUNCH EXPERIENCE (Balfron)
Discover the story of Scotland’s famous haggis, its origins and traditions, through an entertaining haggis-making demonstration. Learn about the ingredients, spices and traditions that give haggis its unique flavour. Enjoy a delicious two-course lunch featuring traditional or vegetarian haggis, served with classic Scottish accompaniments. A fun and memorable experience for anyone looking to discover more about Scottish food, culture and traditions.
THE CHOCOLATARIUM – THE TOUR OF CHOCOLATE (Edinburgh)
Step into the world of chocolate at Edinburgh’s Chocolatarium and follow its journey from cacao tree to chocolate bar. Enjoy plenty of tastings, discover unique flavours from Scotland and around the world, and create your very own chocolate bar to take home. With over 30 varieties to try, this is a fun and delicious experience for chocolate lovers of all ages.
TRUFFLE MAKING EXPERIENCE (Edinburgh)
Enjoy a hands-on chocolate experience at Edinburgh’s Chocolatarium and discover the art of making delicious chocolate truffles. Learn different techniques and get creative as you make your own selection of beautiful truffles, with plenty to take home and enjoy later. Finish the experience with a relaxed guided tasting, discovering more about the flavours and craftsmanship behind these tempting treats. A fun and indulgent experience, especially for chocolate lovers aged 10 and over.
ISLANDER HANDBAG – MINI SATCHEL WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE (Edinburgh)
Get creative in the heart of Edinburgh with a fun hands-on workshop where you’ll design and make your very own Islander Harris Tweed® handbag. Choose your favourite colours, Harris Tweed® fabric, strap and accessories, then use the provided tools to put your bag together with expert guidance. In around an hour, you’ll have your own unique, made-in-Scotland handbag to take home and show off.
england:
HONEYBOURNE POTTERY – TASTER WORKSHOP (Evesham)
Try your hand at the potter’s wheel in this fun and relaxed workshop, perfect for complete beginners aged 7 and over. With expert guidance, you’ll learn the basics of wheel throwing, from centring and opening the clay to shaping your own pots. You’ll have plenty of time to practise and experiment with unlimited clay, making this a great way to build confidence and enjoy the creative process. Choose your favourite pieces to take home at the end, carefully boxed and ready to enjoy.
ROYAL FAMILY FAVOURITES COOKING CLASS WITH 5-COURSE DINNER (London)
Step into a traditional London home and discover the flavours of Britain with a unique Royal Cooking Class and Supper Club. Learn how to prepare classic English dishes with a chef and guide, while hearing fascinating stories and insights into London and the British Royal Family. After the cooking session, sit down to enjoy a delicious shared dinner featuring favourite dishes, accompanied by traditional British drinks and treats. A relaxed and memorable experience that combines food, history and the warm atmosphere of a home away from home.
france:
CHOCO-STORY PARIS – WORKSHOP (Paris)
Step into Choco-Story Paris and discover the fascinating 4,000-year history of cocoa and chocolate through stories, objects, flavours and demonstrations. After exploring the museum, get hands-on in a fun chocolate-making workshop where you’ll learn dipping techniques and create and decorate your own mini chocolate bars. Take home all the chocolates you make, along with the mould used during the workshop — a delicious experience for chocolate lovers of all ages.
GUIDED TOUR & MINI PERFUME WORKSHOP (Grasse)
Step into the world of traditional French perfumery in Grasse and discover the secrets behind the making of perfume, from raw ingredients to the finished fragrance. Explore the historic factory and perfume museum before enjoying a hands-on workshop where you’ll learn about aromatic plants, discover the different notes of a fragrance and create your own personalised Eau de Toilette. Take home your unique 12 ml fragrance as a memorable keepsake.
MACARON BAKERY CLASSES (Paris)
Enjoy a delicious French pastry experience at the iconic Galeries Lafayette in the heart of Paris. Join an expert pastry chef for a hands-on class and learn the secrets behind creating perfect macarons, from preparing the shells and ganache to filling and assembling them. Finish by tasting your creations with the group, before taking in the stunning views of Paris from the famous rooftop.
WORKSHOP FRENCH CUISINE FERRANDI (Paris)
Learn how to cook classic French dishes at Galeries Lafayette with an English-speaking chef from the well-known Ferrandi Paris cooking school. In a small group, you’ll use fresh, seasonal ingredients and learn simple tips and techniques along the way. Choose from pastry, savoury or seasonal classes – there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a beginner or already enjoy cooking.
PRIVATE PASTRY CLASS (Paris)
Enjoy a private pastry class with a professional French pastry chef and learn how to make one of France’s classic desserts. No previous experience is needed, and you’ll be guided step by step using quality ingredients and professional equipment. Finish by tasting your creation, then take some pastries home to enjoy later, along with the recipe so you can make them again.
MAKE YOUR OWN WINE (Paris)
Step into the beautiful 18th-century wine cellars of Les Caves du Louvre, once used by the King of France, and discover the world of French wine. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll taste different grape varieties, create your own blend and design a personal label for your bottle. Guided by a friendly wine expert, you’ll learn about French wine and leave with your very own bottle to take home.
COOKING CLASS BORDEAUX CENTRE (Bordeaux)
Enjoy a private cooking class in the heart of historic Bordeaux with Chef Simon, who has over 16 years of experience working alongside Michelin-starred chefs. Start with a visit to a local market before heading to a professional kitchen to prepare a delicious French starter and main course. Sit down afterwards to enjoy your meal with wine and dessert while learning more about French food and cooking in a relaxed and friendly setting.
start planning:
From our new four-day Cornwall Escape to hands-on food, craft and cultural experiences across the UK and France, ASA can help you build journeys that feel distinctive, relevant and memorable for your clients.
Whether they’re tasting traditional haggis in Scotland, creating their own Harris Tweed® handbag, discovering pottery and British cooking in England, or trying perfume-making, pastry, cuisine and wine experiences in France, there are plenty of ways to add more depth and personality to an itinerary.
Speak to your ASA Consultant or send an email to book@asa-dmc.com to discuss ideas, tailor an itinerary and start planning your clients’ next journey.
